Communication device having a scent release feature and method thereof

Abstract

A communication device such as a cellular telephone ( 200 ) includes a heat-generating device ( 206 ) that generates heat energy. In thermal proximity to the heat-generating device ( 206 ) is a scent package ( 208 ) that includes a scented substance that is activated by the heat generated by the heat-generating device ( 206 ). In one embodiment of the invention, the heat-generating device ( 206 ) is a power amplifier. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a scent in a communication device comprises providing a heat-generating device and placing a scent package in thermal proximity to the heat-generating device. The heat-generating device can be a power amplifier used by the communication device, or other electrical circuit found in the communication device.

1. A communication device, comprising:
 a heat-generating device; and 
 a scent package having a scented substance located in thermal proximity to the heat-generating device. 
 wherein the heat-generating device is part of the communication device and the heat-generating device is a dual-purpose device in that the heat-generating device enables operation of the communication device and heat provided by the heat-generating device for heating the scent package is a byproduct of that enablement. 
 
     
     
       2. A communication device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating device comprises a power amplifier used by the communication device. 
     
     
       3. A communication device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the scent package comprises a gel or liquid based scent package. 
     
     
       4. A communication device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a removable card; 
 a slot for receiving the removable card located on the communication device; and 
 wherein the scent package is attached to the removable card. 
 
     
     
       5. A communication device as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one control key; and 
 wherein the heat-generating device commences to generate heat in response to the at least one control key being activated. 
 
     
     
       6. A communication device as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the heat-generating device produces heat for a predetermined period of time after the control key is activated. 
     
     
       7. A communication device as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a display, and the display in response to the at least one control key being activated, causes an icon to be presented on the display. 
 
     
     
       8. A communication device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating device commences to generate heat in response to a message being received by the communication device. 
     
     
       9. A communication device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating device comprises a battery. 
     
     
       10. A communication device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating device produces heat energy that activates the scented substance and causes a scent to be released from the scent package. 
     
     
       11. A cellular telephone, comprising:
 a power amplifier that enables operation of the cellular telephone; and 
 a scent package thermally proximate to the power amplifier, wherein the power amplifier and the scent package are configured to permit the power amplifier to provide heat to the scent package as a byproduct of the power amplifiers enablement of operation of the cellular telephone. 
 
     
     
       12. A cellular telephone as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the cellular telephone has a battery compartment, and the scent package is located within the battery compartment. 
     
     
       13. A cellular telephone as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the battery compartment includes a removable battery compartment cover, and the battery compartment cover has at least one retainer for receiving the scent package. 
     
     
       14. A cellular telephone as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising a shield cover surrounding at least a portion of the power amplifier; and the scent package is in contact with the shield. 
     
     
       15. A cellular telephone as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the scent package is filled with a gel that is activated by the heat generated by the power amplifier. 
     
     
       16. A method of producing a scent in a communication device, comprising the steps of:
 providing a heat-generating device which is part of the communication device and enables operation of the communication device; and 
 providing a scent package having a scented substance in thermal proximity to the heat-generating device such that the heat produced by the heat-generating device when the heat-generating device enables operation of the communication device causes the scented substance to activate and provide an aroma. 
 
     
     
       17. A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the communication device comprises a cellular telephone and the heat-generating device comprises a power amplifier used by the cellular telephone during normal operation. 
     
     
       18. A method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the communication device includes a controller, and the step of providing a heat-generating device comprises the sub-steps of:
 providing an electrical circuit coupled to the controller; and 
 providing a control signal from the controller to the electrical circuit that causes the electrical circuit to produce heat.